Three men who have experienced conflict first hand have banded together to kayak the length of the Murray River to raise awareness of Soldier On and MatesHeroHelp, two charities supporting current and former defence personnel.

‘Old Vets Stomping’ comprises Ross Boyd and Ian Errington who are Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans and their one-man support team Tony Turner.

The pair of paddlers entered the water at Bringenbrong yesterday morning to start the 2400-kilometre journey to the Southern Ocean in South Australia.

‘Old Vets Stomping’ have more than 110 years of army service and in retirement have collectively and individually trekked Kokoda (96 kilometres), Northern Territory’s Larapinta Trail, Camino de Santiago in Spain, South Australia’s Heysen Trail, Mount Everest Base Camp and Tasmania’s Overland Track, raising more than $25,000 from their efforts.

Mr Turner told the Border Mail that they were not experienced kayakers but had undergone training in Brisbane and the Gold Coast last year to ensure they could safely conduct the paddle.

“On the journey we will be stopping at all the towns and settlements along the Murray and will engage with the locals to tell them about it and raise funds,” Mr Turner said.

Corryong cafe owner Stuart Spratt, who has organised walks from Lake Hume to Corryong for Soldier On, has helped the group establish fundraising connections in the North East.

Mr Turner said Old Vets Stomping also hoped to inspire younger war veterans to join the RSL or other service clubs and organisations to take the pressure off aging memberships.

The group intends to talk to the RSL branches on the journey about this untapped resource.

“The average age of the veterans from Timor to the last lot coming back from Afghanistan is about 40-odd,” Mr Turner said.

“Let’s get more people in and possibly find out why these people are not associating with the RSL.”

All of the ‘Old Vets Stomping’ ventures have been self-funded with donations from family and friends helping the group to purchase two expedition kayaks that will be donated to MatesHeroHelp after the journey.

Visit the Supporting ADF Veterans GoFundMe page to support the cause.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 15 February 2024.